PhoenixDark
Banned
This is only controversial and "divisive" because of white privilege, and in particular the inability or unwillingness of white males to admit it.
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Being white is a privilege, says this PSA.
- Thread starter ChiTownBuffalo
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Choke on the Magic
Banned
My son and daughter are mixed so can they still get in on this white privelege or are they screwed?
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
Do they look white? That's all that really matters, it seems.
Why just white males? Because they're the ones who hold the overwhelmingly majority of power? I know that feminism has been working for decades to shake itself of a keenly racist, privileged core. Thankfully (most) feminism today inseparably aligns itself with anti-racism.
Choke on the Magic
Banned
Skin tone is olive like mine and they got my hair with a few curls. They have my wife's beautiful facial features (nose, mouth etc)
Furthermore I hope that they can take advantage of AA and college grants for minorities. They deserve the best of both worlds.
My skin tone is olive. I'm technically caucasian, roots in the Middle East, no accent, but I constantly got Indian slurs thrown at me all the time.
Best of luck to them.
Choke on the Magic
Banned
You live in the US?
me too, if you can't beat them, join them
if only, I just hate the feeling that I will never be treated 100% fully American because of it...
if I was white I could just be another guy and blend in....
mostly everywhere and any time.... inb4 ck
fukin.... eggman......
Oh my, that is not a good mindset. If someone is not treating you 100% fully American, it's because they are insecure of themselves. You should ignore those kind of people.
Geez, everything I've been thru.. everything I've seen. I have never actually wanted to be "them".
No matter what you are, someone out there is envying you too. You realize that right?
Yes. Indian and Aladdin jokes until 2001 and it was terrorist slurs from there on out.
Choke on the Magic
Banned
That sucks man. What part? I know this shit happens, but not so blatantly. In STL most racist stuff is stealth racism.
Codeblue and Emily,
Both of these things irk me. Not sure where either of you live or how old you are for that matter, but I'd seriously consider associating with a different group of people if you feel like that and deal with blatant racist things.
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
I dunno... I don't think most racism is based in envy.
So they shouldn't have to deal with the challenges associated with being "non-white" (this I agree with) yet should be able to take advantage of programs and incentives meant for those who are forced to deal with those challenges?
Sounds like some bullshit parental logic to me.
I HIGHLY doubt anyone will envy the "big scary black guy", or envy the black guy who was told his children will be ugly, or that he ruins parties (yes this was actually said, its kind of funny), who will never be accepted, who is thought of trash who will do nothing but beat his GF, who will never succeed, who is less than human.
Damn straight i wish i was white.
Continuity
Member
I'm just jealous you guys are taking our Asian women
MWS Natural
Member
It appears you bumped a thread without even reading it because the point seems to have gone over your head.
Steve Youngblood
Member
No no, MWS. This is a very insightful point. Prior to that bump, people were under the impression that literally every single white person in America has it easier than every single minority. The idea that this isn't universally applicable is a real game changer. Good observation, scar tissue.
Choke on the Magic
Banned
So even though my kids are a minority they should not get incentive programs because they don't look the part?
Sounds like some bullshit double standards to me.
I'll be taking full advantage of anything and everything that is available to my children and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.
PhoenixDark
Banned
Mainly because white males are the most privileged group in this country. White women have certainly benefited from their racial privilege as well, just not to the same extent. And I believe white males are typically more oblivious to it whereas women in general can be more aware of how people are treated differently.
Devolution
Member
White women still get republican birth control panels full of dudes just like everybody else. Hell just looking at how bad Sandra Fluke was trashed plus that made me go "wow 2012 huh."
Choke on the Magic
Banned
As a white male from a poor family I'm legitimately interested in what way I'm priveleged. Certainly not financially priveleged so are you speaking more in terms of how I'm treated by other white people or just people in general? I think I'm pretty aware of when someone around me is treated differently given my families background.
I think that the whole socioeconomical gap between whites and minorities in the US have way more to do with class warfare, poverty traps and an all around lack of social safety nets rather than raging racism. With the data in hand, it is pretty hard to atribute solely to racism the constant erosion and near destruction of the black middle class from the 50's to the present day despite of the social advance and the anti discrimination laws put in place. I believe that a new outlook into the problem is in order, but that it would rustle far too many feathers.
Jackben
bitch I'm taking calls.
Already posted earlier in the thread, but this is a great read and I think does a good job of introducing some of the concepts about how there are priveledges beyond just wealth and readily apparent status.
Unpacking the invisible knapsack by peggy mcintosh
EDIT: Another interesting observation in revisiting the earlier posts in the thread is seeing the people who ended up getting banned...
Mattlikewhoa
Member
I totally agree!
My wife is white (Swedish/Scottish) and I'm black (My parents are from the caribbean, then came to Canada for University in Montreal). I don't mind the looks that we catch from people in general. It's the ones of disgust that burn your soul slow.
Alligatorjandro
Banned
white people get everything,even their own privilege.
It isn't a double standard. The spirit of those programs is something you are going against. You want to take advantage, go for it, but the attitude of "my kids deserve the best of both worlds" is utter bullshit.
Number 14 cannot be stated enough. All too often have people told me i "speak so politely" for being a person of color. It is possibly the most infuriating thing i have ever heard. I know most mean no harm by it, but the idea that any non white person does not speak properly and is a shock to hear is both offensive and completely saddening.
It only gets worse if i ever mention i am mixed and the response is always "oh well that explains it". The colored side of me cannot be the intelligent side, oh no, it has to be the non colored side.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
An interesting article to be sure, although the opening paragraph feels a bit disconnected from the body of the text. She makes the point about how part of eglatarianism may require giving up aspects of privilege (whether sexual or racial) but then none of the stuff she lists seems like anything white people would have to "give up" in order for racial minorities to experience similar treatment. (okay, perhaps one or two)
Or that someone can come to terms with the concept of privilege and understand that it doesn't have to invalidate their success or even their suffering, and they might see that it could have been a contributing factor to both. If they have to take it as a personal insult to everything they think identifies them, I think that's another issue. It doesn't have to bring hate, but if you're prone to hate, hater gonna drink haterade.
edit:
It's entirely possible to have the privilege and have not made use of it, or appropriate use, or to have it help you in a way that it ultimately hurts you. That doesn't mean the privilege doesn't exist, or the social buffer isn't there, just that some things lead to other things.
repay your ancestral debt and I'll drive you to the airport myself.
Jackben
bitch I'm taking calls.
The opening seems disconnected because it's an excerpt from a larger essay that initially discusses gender in communication and how it is affected by privilege with her initial observations based on information she collected from college classes she taught. The basic portion that relates to the thread is perhaps better reprinted here.
And I agree that there is greater work to be done that she only just hints at, references about true egalitarianism especially. But I think it's a pretty great essay in terms of being a springboard into further education about hidden privileges that someone who is white might not even realize they have. Hopefully helps elucidate and identify the issues at the very least.
Choke on the Magic
Banned
Oh so you just don't care for my attitude. You can think it's bs all you want, but I'd be a fool not to give my kids every advantage available. My attitude just makes you mad. Sorry I guess?
This, pretty much. The whole rethoric about "ending white privilege" seems agressive to me because it implies more of a "bringin everyone down to the same level" rather than "bring you up too".
If being respected, valued by my own merit or not being judged by my qualities acquired by birth is a privilege, well, I would hate to loose it, but I would love if every single person on Earth would share it along with me, too
Its just the shitty entitled attitude is all. You want To let hem take advantage, be my guest. But to say they "deserve the best of both worlds" is bogus.
Deified Data
Banned
My ancestral debt can only be paid in blood, steel, and prostration before the Elder Gods. Guess I'm fucked.
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
Summed up by the stupid, "First world problems" response.
I don't see the problem here. I hope my kids turn out white looking due to my girlfriend being white. Wanting them to be white and still being in tune with their hispanic heritage is still very possible. Hell, I know really white looking Mexicans. They took those scholarships and in no way do I think any less of them.
OK. Ancestral debt, or 20 bucks, direct.
Choke on the Magic
Banned
Maybe I should rephrase what I mean; I love my kids obviously and I want them to have every opportunity available to them. Not sure what's so entitled about that. After reading Jackbens link I'm not sure a white person can decline white privelege even if they wanted to. What can I possibly do?
Schweinehund
Member
Being born into a first world country is a privilege
Being a human is a privilege
Being alive is a privilege
Should I keep stating the obvious?
Not sure why I should feel guilt for my skin color, I didn't chose it. I think this PSA is sending the wrong message.
I wasn't able to access the op's link for youtube so I based my post off the subject line. Sorry if I misunderstood. I feel like the subject line is encouraging an "us vs. them" mentality.
Being a human is a privilege
Being alive is a privilege
Should I keep stating the obvious?
Not sure why I should feel guilt for my skin color, I didn't chose it. I think this PSA is sending the wrong message.
I wasn't able to access the op's link for youtube so I based my post off the subject line. Sorry if I misunderstood. I feel like the subject line is encouraging an "us vs. them" mentality.
It shouldn't be about guilt. It is what it is.
I'm half white but I definitely have wished for that other half to not exist at times. Wasn't really something that occurred until I moved from Hawaii to the mainland, though.
Edit: Oh wow this thread is from June, :jnc
Deified Data
Banned
I've stated my opinion on the issue earlier in the thread, but I'll restate it for the thread's resurrection: whether you believe you personally benefit from white privilege or not, you should be aware of it. Not to make you feel guilty, not to belittle your accomplishments, but to maintain perspective. White people don't enjoy an undue amount of privilege in society. Most of us enjoy the baseline level of respect and achievement owed to people of all races, genders, and creeds.
The issue I take with "white privilege", if any, is that it's a misnomer. "Institutionalized racism" is a much more valid umbrella term, without the negative implications of painting a segment of society as privileged. Fingers need to be pointed, to be sure, but not at a nebulous group of people. The elements of Western society that enable institutionalized racism need to be singled out and addressed.
The issue I take with "white privilege", if any, is that it's a misnomer. "Institutionalized racism" is a much more valid umbrella term, without the negative implications of painting a segment of society as privileged. Fingers need to be pointed, to be sure, but not at a nebulous group of people. The elements of Western society that enable institutionalized racism need to be singled out and addressed.
Napoleonthechimp
Member
I am white and the colour of my skin has never benefited me in any way. I have an extremely large head which is a big enough difference to push me out of what is perceived as aesthetically normal. It seems that was enough to warrant ridicule (at least from the younger bunch when I was at school) and to prevent me from experiencing all that life has to offer.
In my experience "white privilege" is non-existent.
In my experience "white privilege" is non-existent.
...I'm not even sure how to respond to this.
ChocolateCupcakes
Member
Its pretty telling that when the obvious is stated the immediate reaction is guilt.
Whoa, guys you heard it here first. Having a big head means is concrete proof that white privilege is just some silly made up concept.
Whoa, guys you heard it here first. Having a big head means is concrete proof that white privilege is just some silly made up concept.
K
kittens
Unconfirmed Member
Confronting privilege -- both in ourselves and in others -- can and often is (though not often enough) a vital part of being a better person. It's something that everyone should strive towards. The idea that it somehow forwards hate is absurd. Acknowledging systems of privilege and oppression isn't an attempt to erase the unique, personal suffering we all experience.
Deified Data
Banned
I agree with you that some people can move through life without experiencing any real advantages due to their race, but I disagree that it should be labeled as "non-existent" simply because you've never experienced it before.
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